In her book, Graceful, Emily Freeman tells of a time when...
One night before dinner, we decided to head across the bridge into Central Park and ride of those horse-drawn carriages. As soon as I settled into the seat, squeezed between my college girlfriends, the first thing I did was plop my heavy, touristy bag on the floor of the carriage.
Imagine this with me: what if I had continued to wear that bag on my back? My friends would have said, "Girl, take a load off. Put that pack down and enjoy the ride!" And what if I would have said, "Oh no, y'all. I can't do that. I wouldn't want the horse to have to work so hard."
They would have called me an idiot because, duh, the horse was already carrying the load. No need for me to carry it too. But heroines don't want to be high maintenance. We don't want to be seen as needy or weak or unable to handle things. As a result, we live life like a girl carrying her own pack on a carriage ride. God is already carrying your load. Why do you insist on carrying it too?
God is already carrying your load...no need for you to carry it, too.
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Friday, September 28, 2012
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Performance and Grace
From Graceful by Emily Freeman:
"We are taught to perform. And we are taught to do it perfectly. It's almost like the whole world is rigged to get us to perform:
School
Sports
Hobbies
Girl Scouts
Jobs
Chores
Performing well isn't a bad thing. Doing your best is good and even necessary in lots of situations. When I got my wisdom teeth pulled, I paid my dentist to perform well. When you go to a movie, you expect the actors to put on a good show. When you go to Starbucks, they promise a perfect cup of coffee or they'll make another one. The best audition gets the part. The best speller wins the bee. We reward good performance with money and fame and reputation and attention.
It's no wonder we are so messed up when it comes to walking with God. In nearly every aspect of existence, good performance equals good reward. Except not with Him. A good thing turns bad when we perform to earn God's acceptance rather than simply receive it like a gift."
"We are taught to perform. And we are taught to do it perfectly. It's almost like the whole world is rigged to get us to perform:
School
Sports
Hobbies
Girl Scouts
Jobs
Chores
Performing well isn't a bad thing. Doing your best is good and even necessary in lots of situations. When I got my wisdom teeth pulled, I paid my dentist to perform well. When you go to a movie, you expect the actors to put on a good show. When you go to Starbucks, they promise a perfect cup of coffee or they'll make another one. The best audition gets the part. The best speller wins the bee. We reward good performance with money and fame and reputation and attention.
It's no wonder we are so messed up when it comes to walking with God. In nearly every aspect of existence, good performance equals good reward. Except not with Him. A good thing turns bad when we perform to earn God's acceptance rather than simply receive it like a gift."
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Looking Back
Lead Us, Lord is playing as I look back...
...and remember the faithfulness of the One who has led me so far.
---
Three years ago
I was young. Stubborn. A bit idealistic.
I visited the MTC with my dad for the first time that September (for an interview). The experience was somewhat unsettling, at least at first.
Wanting to become a missionary had never seemed so far fetched as it did then. Every creature I feared was there: poisonous spiders and snakes, scorpions, ticks, and gigantic wasps. It was uncomfortably humid at the end of the summer. And it was out in the middle of NO-where...in fact, it felt like it could have just as well been the end of the earth.
The first night fear gnawed in my heart, whispering that if I couldn't make it in Missouri - which was in my own country - how could I possibly begin to think I'd make it overseas? I wrote: Here I am at the MTC... And for the first time...I think I'm actually scared...wondering if I can really make it.
I wanted to be strong, but instead I felt small. Alone. Out of place.
The next day was Sunday, and we visited a church in town. I don't remember everything, but I remember this song. And I remember Pastor Bob's message on Caleb - how he followed the Lord wholly and did not let anything hold him back. Not fear, not what other people said, NOTHING.
He asked that morning, "If I were to resign from myself, where would God use me?"
It was exactly was I needed to hear. Exactly.
God was faithful.
(I learned to love Missouri and life at the MTC, by the way. Leaving there was like leaving another home. And that message quote is on my desktop, a good reminder to this day.)
---
A year ago
I was frustrated. Overwhelmed. Wanting to quit.
It the midst of my last and hardest semester - linguistics. (Linguistics: a mass of information that does something mysterious to one's brain, so that it is never entirely the same after.)
My training was going to be over in a matter of months, and I still had no field. All summer I'd prayed for direction, but received only "Wait". Was time running out?
I wrote to a friend: So even though I really have no reason/inkling to choose one field over another at this point, it seemed the best thing to do [is] just pick a few and write to them...get more information...you know, see if any might be ones the Lord wants me to pursue.
And that's what I did soon after. At that point, I had no idea that God was going to drop one right into my lap, and it was going to be a most (if not THE most) unlikely place I could have chosen. West Africa.
...Which, Lord willing, is where I'll be a year from now.
(That boggles my mind a little!)
---
He was faithful. Is faithful. Will be forever.
In our weakness and confusion and need, He is there.
Come and lead us, Lord.
...and remember the faithfulness of the One who has led me so far.
---
Three years ago
I was young. Stubborn. A bit idealistic.
I visited the MTC with my dad for the first time that September (for an interview). The experience was somewhat unsettling, at least at first.
Wanting to become a missionary had never seemed so far fetched as it did then. Every creature I feared was there: poisonous spiders and snakes, scorpions, ticks, and gigantic wasps. It was uncomfortably humid at the end of the summer. And it was out in the middle of NO-where...in fact, it felt like it could have just as well been the end of the earth.
The first night fear gnawed in my heart, whispering that if I couldn't make it in Missouri - which was in my own country - how could I possibly begin to think I'd make it overseas? I wrote: Here I am at the MTC... And for the first time...I think I'm actually scared...wondering if I can really make it.
I wanted to be strong, but instead I felt small. Alone. Out of place.
The next day was Sunday, and we visited a church in town. I don't remember everything, but I remember this song. And I remember Pastor Bob's message on Caleb - how he followed the Lord wholly and did not let anything hold him back. Not fear, not what other people said, NOTHING.
He asked that morning, "If I were to resign from myself, where would God use me?"
It was exactly was I needed to hear. Exactly.
God was faithful.
(I learned to love Missouri and life at the MTC, by the way. Leaving there was like leaving another home. And that message quote is on my desktop, a good reminder to this day.)
---
A year ago
I was frustrated. Overwhelmed. Wanting to quit.
It the midst of my last and hardest semester - linguistics. (Linguistics: a mass of information that does something mysterious to one's brain, so that it is never entirely the same after.)
My training was going to be over in a matter of months, and I still had no field. All summer I'd prayed for direction, but received only "Wait". Was time running out?
I wrote to a friend: So even though I really have no reason/inkling to choose one field over another at this point, it seemed the best thing to do [is] just pick a few and write to them...get more information...you know, see if any might be ones the Lord wants me to pursue.
And that's what I did soon after. At that point, I had no idea that God was going to drop one right into my lap, and it was going to be a most (if not THE most) unlikely place I could have chosen. West Africa.
...Which, Lord willing, is where I'll be a year from now.
(That boggles my mind a little!)
---
He was faithful. Is faithful. Will be forever.
In our weakness and confusion and need, He is there.
Come and lead us, Lord.
Monday, September 24, 2012
Church picnic
From last Sunday:
Getting started
They duct-taped the wrong girl's mouth. She's the quiet one.
Getting ready for a bubble game (what kid doesn't like bubbles?)
Another shot of the girls
The object was to blow as many (colored) bubbles as possible onto the coffee filters.
He melts my heart.
Hi, Auntie Betty...
...and Uncle Paul and Auntie Glory!
Who ever heard of a church picnic without a volleyball game?!
Ah, the sky. The trees. The grass...
Cutie pie!
Gathering around to sing
Sibling trio: "How Deep the Father's Love"
"Be Bold, Be Strong" and "Seven Times a Day"
Uncle Tim is the best story-teller!
This one was about a disobedient monkey who didn't listen to his parents' warning, got his hand trapped in a peanut-filled "gourd"...
...and then the peanut farmers caught him and dragged him away to the barbecue pit.
Moral of the story: Let go of the peanuts (temptations in our lives)!
Dogs are welcome, too.
(Nope, this isn't my dog...but I wouldn't complain if she was. Golden retrievers are my most favorite dog.)
---
That's all for today, folks!
Getting started
They duct-taped the wrong girl's mouth. She's the quiet one.
Getting ready for a bubble game (what kid doesn't like bubbles?)
Another shot of the girls
The object was to blow as many (colored) bubbles as possible onto the coffee filters.
He melts my heart.
Hi, Auntie Betty...
...and Uncle Paul and Auntie Glory!
Who ever heard of a church picnic without a volleyball game?!
Ah, the sky. The trees. The grass...
Cutie pie!
Gathering around to sing
Sibling trio: "How Deep the Father's Love"
"Be Bold, Be Strong" and "Seven Times a Day"
Uncle Tim is the best story-teller!
This one was about a disobedient monkey who didn't listen to his parents' warning, got his hand trapped in a peanut-filled "gourd"...
...and then the peanut farmers caught him and dragged him away to the barbecue pit.
Moral of the story: Let go of the peanuts (temptations in our lives)!
Dogs are welcome, too.
(Nope, this isn't my dog...but I wouldn't complain if she was. Golden retrievers are my most favorite dog.)
---
That's all for today, folks!
Friday, September 21, 2012
Craft Boutique
My friend and I are doing a craft boutique tomorrow. Yes, another craft boutique. Better "luck" this time??
Here's what I made:
(Excuse the less-than-stunning pictures.)
Pillow 1
Pillow 2
Scarf 1
Scarf 2 (yes, it is a slightly different shade, although that's hard to tell from the lighting)
Tote 1
Tote 2
Personally, I really like the way totes turned out. Once I figured out what I was doing (which was a slow and painful process), they were actually pretty fun to make. I plan to sew more of them in the (hopefully) near future.
And now...to bed I go. Must get up early tomorrow.
Here's what I made:
(Excuse the less-than-stunning pictures.)
Pillow 1
Pillow 2
Scarf 1
Scarf 2 (yes, it is a slightly different shade, although that's hard to tell from the lighting)
Tote 1
Tote 2
Personally, I really like the way totes turned out. Once I figured out what I was doing (which was a slow and painful process), they were actually pretty fun to make. I plan to sew more of them in the (hopefully) near future.
And now...to bed I go. Must get up early tomorrow.
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Tuesday Trivia
Hello and welcome to this edition of Tuesday Trivia.
1. September is national ___ month.
a) sewing
b) college savings
c) whole grains
d) mold awareness
e) all of the above
2. In Isaiah, the phrase "tall and smooth-skinned" is used to describe people from what country?
3. What state produces the most almonds?
* * *
Scroll down to see how you fared.
1. e
2. Ethiopia
3. California. In fact, it is the only state that produces almonds commercially AND it is responsible for about 75% of the world's almond demand.
1. September is national ___ month.
a) sewing
b) college savings
c) whole grains
d) mold awareness
e) all of the above
2. In Isaiah, the phrase "tall and smooth-skinned" is used to describe people from what country?
3. What state produces the most almonds?
* * *
Scroll down to see how you fared.
1. e
2. Ethiopia
3. California. In fact, it is the only state that produces almonds commercially AND it is responsible for about 75% of the world's almond demand.
Monday, September 17, 2012
Friday, September 14, 2012
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
I'm super-thankful for all the ways God has used His body to encourage me over the past several months...
...and for each of the dear friends who have reflected His love through thoughtful notes, hugs, faithful prayers, words of wisdom, or sweet gifts.
---
If someone has been a special encouragement to you, why don't you let them know how much you appreciate them? Or maybe go out of your way to be an encouragement to someone else. :)
...and for each of the dear friends who have reflected His love through thoughtful notes, hugs, faithful prayers, words of wisdom, or sweet gifts.
---
If someone has been a special encouragement to you, why don't you let them know how much you appreciate them? Or maybe go out of your way to be an encouragement to someone else. :)
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Year of Grace
Year of Grace (by Robin Mark)
Just as I am, one only plea
In that the blood once shed was shed for me
And drew me to a covenant place
Where I found mercy in the year of grace
No condemnation now for me
Your Word has touched my heart and now I see
In Heaven stands to plead my case
The One who found me in the year of grace
O Son of God, sweet Son of Man
The Author of redemption's plan
Eternal God in time and space
Oh keep me ever in the year of grace
I hear Your voice, my soul awakes
Your whispered words have stirred my heart to praise
On love unbound I fix my gaze
Where I first saw You in the year of grace
In life in death, whom shall I fear?
Closer than breath I feel You near
Oh hold me in Your strong embrace
Where I find rest within the year of grace
---
This song tells my story pretty well.
I will always remember 2011 as my own personal year of grace.
It was the year grace seemed to burst onto the scene and tear down walls of self-righteousness, striving, fear, and impossible expectations.
Yes, grace had been there all along, but I'd never given it much of a chance.
Then the time came when I could no longer close my eyes. God shined the light of His grace on my pride and all the outward things I'd clung to as my key to spiritual growth. The journey out of that tangled mess was uncomfortable, even frightening. There are moments when I realize, in some ways, I'm still standing on the fringes of the old law-keeping jungle. But things won't ever be quite the same.
2011. The year of grace.
It was when I first began to truly understand what it meant to rest in my Heavenly Father's strong embrace - something I never, ever want to forget.
You know something? At first, I was afraid that the newness would wear off, that this wonderful discovery would one day become commonplace. That my year of grace would come and go with the year 2011.
And now? It's 2012. I hardly know how to explain it, but it's like God has given me a second year of grace.
When I stop to think about it, it's not so far-fetched. Grace is who He is.
I have a sneaking suspicion I'll also be able to call 2013 (and 2014, and so forth) the year of grace.
---
As you probably remember, I read Grace for the Good Girl this summer, and was tremendously blessed by it. Now the author has written a second book, Graceful - for young women. Oh, how I wish these books had been written when I was growing up! Although I haven't actually read "Graceful" (it was just released last week), if it's anything like the first book, it will be blessing - a breath of fresh air for tired souls seeking to earn God's favor.
I highly recommend Grace for the Good Girl - and I'll let you know how Graceful is when my copy arrives.
---
Wherever you are, may your life and heart be filled with God's grace!
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Friday, September 7, 2012
Hello...
Hello, Moon (or "experimenting with night-time pictures")
Hello, Gorgeous
Hello, natural fabric dyes tutorial
Hello, naturally-dyed fabric (I used tea) and dyed-to-match fingernails (which you can't see very well from this picture, but they were definitely "dyed" quite thoroughly!)
Hello, new houseplant, sunflower, and sweet peas
Hello, Tephra
Hello, friend...
...just thinking about you makes me smile. A lot.
Hello, perfect reminder
Hello, Soil Improvement Program (otherwise known as "I love coffee, so my garden's gonna love it too!")
Hello, Tephra...again
Hello, dying sunflower
Hello, dinner!!! (Hawaiian pizza)
Hello, school planner...from '97-'98!!
Hello, dill
Hello, patchwork
and Hello, homespuns (which I LOVE more and more!)
Hello, little dandelion
---
...and Hello, Weekend!
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